Hello, Kankakee County and beyond! Today we’re shining a rainbow spotlight on a cornerstone of celebration and acceptance in our community—Electric Lady Lounge. In our most recent episode, host Katherine Henson and guest co-host Hannah Kurtz sit down with the tattoo wizard and activist herself, Bri Haug, to talk about building safe spaces, the spirit of Pride, and the profound impact of intentional inclusivity.
Inside Electric Lady Lounge: More Than Tattoos
If you think Electric Lady Lounge is just another tattoo shop, think again. As Katherine puts it, “They work to tattoo and pierce all body types, all skin tones, and helping others feel confident in their body.” But what truly makes this space unique is its mission to be “intentionally inclusive”—welcoming anyone seeking comfort, confidence, and community.
Pride with Purpose: Kankakee’s LGBTQ+ Celebration
The highlight of the episode? The third annual Y2K Pride bash hosted at Electric Lady Lounge, a vibrant, energetic event with one key goal: amplifying queer voices and fostering community unity. Bri explains, “What it’s all about is building these bonds, these relationships. There’s power in unity. There’s power in community.”
- Local vendors like Rubber Rose Cakes & Goodies
- Artists and organizers working in harmony for a cause
- Proceeds benefiting the Kankakee LGBTQ Network
- Free platforms for queer voices and allies alike
Drag, Diversity, and Giving Back: All in One Night
No Pride party is complete without a little sparkle, and this year was no exception! Electric Lady went big, filling the roster with six dynamic drag performers—including Bella the Stallion and Chicago’s own Dr. Love. Performers left feeling like “royalty,” treated to thoughtful amenities and even the offer of a free tattoo designed with their stories in mind.
Bri shares, “I want this event to be about them. I want to treat them like the royalty they are… My favorite part of the job is connecting with people, hands down.”
Inclusivity in Action: From Art to Everyday
It’s not just about one day a year. Bri and her team live their values daily—whether it’s practicing gender-affirming care in piercing, offering medical-grade tattooing for cancer survivors and top surgery recipients, or creating an environment where “you can let go.”
Bri opens up about the deeper meaning:
“The clientele that have given me my career… have made my job more than just tattooing, but a place that I feel so incredibly proud of. A place where I’m able to use my platform and my voice.”
Facing Challenges, Finding Strength
The journey hasn’t been free from adversity. Bri recounts facing negativity, discrimination, and even trolling—yet finds hope in community resilience:
“Every time that’s happened, the universe has balanced it… we got flooded with wonderful reviews. The amount of positive comments was double [the negative]. It almost made me so much more hyped for the event.”
Family, Art, and Teaching the Next Generation
Bri’s story is also about legacy—raising her son in a space of acceptance and showing him, by example, the importance of kindness. As she says, “I’m learning or I’m teaching him about equality and how to treat people by bringing him to things where he’s exposed and so he understands.”
Favorite art moments? How about tattooing a Star Wars Millennium Falcon over a cancer survivor’s port scar—two stories, two journeys, “kissmet.” As Bri says, “You just have to believe things are just meant to be.”
Advice for Small Businesses: Show, Don’t Just Tell
To fellow businesses wanting to foster inclusivity, Bri’s advice is simple:
“It’s okay to ask. Utilize resources… It’s one thing to put a Pride emoji in your bio. It’s another thing to actually be it and do it every day while also amplifying clear voices and safe speech.”
On authenticity, she urges, “Focus on your people, focus on your community… We should be proud of our accomplishments.”
A Lasting Message: Community Over Division
As the episode comes to a close, the message is clear—finding your authentic self, surrounding yourself with like-minded allies, and building safe spaces isn’t just activism; it’s the groundwork for a better, kinder Kankakee.
Thank You, Electric Lady
A huge thank you to Bri Haug for her openness, her art, and her investment in a bolder, braver, and more inclusive Kankakee County. And cheers to every listener who seeks a space to be celebrated and to celebrate others.
Katherine leaves us with a heartfelt reminder:
“If you do need help finding that safe space, you can reach out either to Bri or to the Kankakee LGBTQ Network. There is a place for you in Kankakee.”
If this story inspires you, subscribe to the Kankakee Podcast, support us on Patreon, and join us as we continue to share powerful local voices. Until next time, keep building community—and remember: you belong.
Special thanks to our sponsors and all the supporters who make this podcast possible. Stay colorful, Kankakee!
